Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A Day in Malá Strana
Morning
You can approach the Little
Quarter from the Old Town
as royal processions once
did, by crossing
Charles
Bridge
(see pp18-19)
, or
you can save your energy
for the day ahead, and
start from the top of the
hill and walk down. Get to
Nerudova
(see p81)
from
one of the many side
streets leading from
Hrad≤any and stroll down,
window shopping at the
many craft outlets on your
way. Don't worry if you
stray off the beaten path;
as long as you continue
downhill, you'll end up at
the area's central hub,
Malostranské nám∂stí
.
Here, spend at least an
hour savouring one of the
city's most spectacular
buildings,
St Nicholas's
Church
.
Kampa Island
northern half is home to elegant
embassies, restaurants and
hotels. Much of the island was
submerged during the 2002
flooding and many buildings had
to be repaired.
d
Map D3
Maltézské nám∂stí
The Knights of Malta once
had an autonomous settlement
here, and the square still bears
their name. The area is dominated
by beautiful Baroque palaces, and
the 12th-century Church of Our
Lady Below the Chain - so called
for the Marian portrait inside that
hangs beneath chains from the
Judith Bridge, the precursor to
Charles Bridge.
d
Map C3
Pause for lunch, either at
one of the many cheap
cafés on Malostranské
nám∂stí or splash out at
Circle Line
(see p89)
.
Afternoon
Church of Our Lady
Victorious
More popularly known as the
Church of the Infant Jesus of
Prague, Prague's first Baroque
church (1611) got its name - and
its Catholic outlook - after the
Battle of White Mountain
(see
p34)
. Visitors stream in to the
church to see the miracle-
working statue of the Christ Child
(see p38)
.
d
Karmelitská 9 • Map C3
After lunch, take Tomá√ská
and Vald√tejnská around to
the
Wallenstein Garden
(see p40)
. Tip-toe through
the tulips at
Vojanovy
sady
and continue down
U lu≈ického seminá∫e
under Charles Bridge and
onto
Kampa Island
.
After coffee at
Café
Belaria
(see p88)
, check
the writing on the
John
Lennon Wall
(see p81)
before wrapping up at the
Church of Our Lady
Victorious
.
Vojanovy sady
Malá Strana has many green
pockets, but Vojan's gardens top
them all for their romantic charm.
Tulip beds, flowering fruit trees
and the occasional peacock add
to the fairytale atmosphere
(see
p40)
.
d
U lu≈ického seminá∫e • Map D2
In the evening, catch a
recital at St Nicholas's
Church or dance the night
away with the young crowd
at
Jo's Gará≈
(see p67)
.
Following pages:
Kampa Island
83
